When people hear about commercial motor vehicle accidents, they probably think of wrecks involving large trucks and buses. They are right – but only partly. If you are hit by a driver operating any vehicle being used for business purposes, then you have been involved in a commercial motor vehicle accident. New Orleans streetcars, taxis, limos – and even a pizza delivery car – all qualify as commercial vehicles.
Like all auto accidents, commercial motor vehicle crashes can cause devastating injuries. But legally, commercial vehicle accident claims are very different. The defendants in commercial vehicle cases may be government agencies or big corporations, most of whom have a team of defense lawyers on call to investigate your accident claim as soon as it happens – perhaps even while you are still in the emergency room.
Don’t let them get the upper hand. Contact the talented New Orleans commercial vehicle accident attorneys at Braud & Gallagher at 866-254-4979 or by filling out our online contact form for a free consultation.
The skilled legal team at Braud & Gallagher is committed to protecting the rights of victims who have sustained catastrophic injuries in Louisiana commercial vehicle crashes. Our attorneys combine years of legal expertise with innovative technology and aggressive trial techniques so that clients receive the maximum amount of compensation in the shortest amount of time possible.
We have a philosophy at Braud & Gallagher: Our job is not done until you have won.
Braud & Gallagher represents CMV accident victims in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Lafourche Parish, Terrebonne Parish, St. John the Baptist and throughout Louisiana.
A Winning History for Our New Orleans Accident Lawyers
Braud & Gallagher has a proven track record of success in obtaining top-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.
About Louisiana Commercial Vehicle Crashes
It is difficult to get a grasp on exactly how many commercial motor vehicle accidents happen in Louisiana each year. Statistics on commercial motor vehicle accidents are limited to those involving trucks and buses, so there is no way to know how many wrecks involving other forms of commercial transit take place. However, we know that many different types of catastrophic commercial vehicle accidents have happened, and continue to happen.
For example, in January 2011, a pedestrian was hit and killed by a New Orleans streetcar. The previous year, another trolley hit a small child. And in 2003, a jury awarded $51.4 million to an 11-year-old girl whose arm was crushed after she fell out of a New Orleans streetcar window.
Louisiana law states that when an employee is driving a company vehicle for commercial purposes and causes an accident, that company is liable for any accidents or injuries caused by that employee’s negligent driving. This can often work in the injured victim’s favor because many corporations have large (or multiple) insurance policies that can cover the costs incurred as a result of the injuries. However, it also means that the company’s insurance adjustors and defense attorneys will be working very hard to prove that they are not responsible for the wreck.
- Commercial vehicle accident claims typically hinge on two key questions:
- Whether the driver was on duty at the time of the crash
If the driver was acting within the course and scope of employment when the crash occurred.
If it can be established that the driver was on duty or performing a job-related task (as opposed to a personal errand, for example) at the time of the accident, then you may be able to receive compensation from the company for your personal injuries and property damage. It is also possible that you may be able to receive compensation through your own insurance policy.
Before agreeing to anything with an insurance company, you should contact an experienced Louisiana commercial vehicle accident attorney. These cases are rarely simple, but may often result in some of the worst injuries, including:
- Fractured bones;
- Head injuries;
- Neck injuries;
- Paralysis;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Herniated discs;
- Internal injuries;
- Amputation;
- Burns;
- Wrongful death.
Pursuing compensation through the courts may be the last thing on your mind as you focus on your recovery, but we urge you to begin investigating your legal options as soon as possible. The lifetime medical expenses for someone catastrophically injured in a commercial vehicle accident can cost millions, and you deserve every penny possible if someone else’s recklessness behind the wheel caused your pain and suffering.
Contact Our Louisiana Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Today
Braud & Gallagher’s personal injury attorneys will handle your Louisiana commercial vehicle accident claim with commitment and won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if they believe you received an unfair settlement offer. For a free case evaluation, call 866-254-4979 or use our online form.
Our Louisiana accident attorneys represent injury clients in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Lafourche Parish, Terrebonne Parish, St. John the Baptist and throughout Louisiana.
Remember: Our job is not done until you have won.
